Mungod, Karnataka - In light of the recent unfolding of tragic events in Tibet, particularly in the Tawu area of Kham Karze of eastern Tibet, a group of monks from Gaden Jangtse Monastery in South India will start a hunger strike march through different states of India to the Himalayan town of Dharamshala. The peaceful march which started in Pune on Saturday, 3rd September.

The marchers will begin the hunger strike in Pune and carry on in the cities of Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Howrah, Delhi and finally Dharamsala. This solidarity march is to highlight Tsewang Norbu's selfless act of immolation in light of China's brutal occupation of Tibet.

"We ask Indian and world leaders to pressure the Chinese Government to immediately stop the ongoing crackdown in Tibet and help us in this tragic hour," said Lobsang Jampa, organizer of the hunger strike march. "Recent acts of immolation clearly show how China's oppression in Tibet has forced Tibetans to such extreme measures.

We have organized this hunger strike march to express our solidarity with our Tibetan brothers and sisters in Tibet who continue to suffer every day." Tsewang Norbu, a 29 year old monk from Nyitso monastery in Tawu, Eastern Tibet, Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (TAP), immolated himself on 15th August at 12.30 pm in the market calling for ‘Freedom in Tibet' & the ‘return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama'.

This is third such act of self-immolation after Tapey who was shot by police when he set himself on fire on February 27, 2009. Another monk this year from Ngaba Kirti Monastery named Phuntsok, 20 year old, immolated himself on 16th march protesting China's decades of oppression and occupation of Tibet.

Following the self-immolation by Tsewang Norbu, heavy troops continue to patrol the town; all entrances and exit to the monastery are heavily guarded. Curfew has been imposed and the schools are occuppied by armed Chinese personnel. Situation continue to remain dire in the area.